Led by All-America cornerback Jason Verrett and Associated Press Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year Devonte Fields, four of TCU's returning starters on defense were first- or second-team All-Big 12 in 2012. That list includes safety Sam Carter and defensive tackle Chucky Hunter.

Verrett topped the Big 12 in interceptions (6) and passes defended (22). He was the only player nationally to rank in the top 10 in both categories, tying for second in passes defended and sixth in interceptions.

Fields, the consensus National Defensive Freshman of the Year last season, led the Big 12 with 18 1/2 tackles for loss while placing third with 10 sacks. The 10 sacks tied for fourth in a season by a Horned Frog and broke the TCU freshman record of seven set by eventual NFL All-Pro Aaron Schobel in 1997.

TCU returns quarterbacks Trevone Boykin and Casey Pachall. Boykin became the first signal caller in TCU history to pass for four touchdowns in consecutive games when he accomplished the feat against Baylor and Texas Tech last season. Pachall ranks first nationally among active quarterbacks in career passing efficiency with a 163.1 rating.

Also returning to action in 2013 is tailback Waymon James. The Horned Frogs' leading rusher in 2011 with 875 yards on a 7.2 per carry average, James suffered a season-ending injury in the second game last year.

Gary Patterson, set to begin his 13th season as TCU's head coach, is the Horned Frogs' all-time winningest coach with 116 victories. His .763 winning percentage (116-36) ranks fourth nationally among active coaches. Patterson is also one of just seven coaches in the NCAA to have won 100 games at their current school.

TCU opens the 2013 campaign on Aug. 31 against LSU in the Cowboys Classic at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington.